Jharkhand Worker Vanishes in Saudi Arabia After Final 'Jai Mata Di' Message
The family of a 40-year-old man from Jharkhand is living in anguish as he remains missing in Saudi Arabia since January 10, 2026. Chandeshar Kumar, from Sindri in Dhanbad district, disappeared after sending a final text message to his family stating he was leaving for Jeddah airport to return to India, ending with the words 'Jai Mata Di'. His phone was switched off immediately after, and he never reached the airport or boarded his scheduled flight.
Background and Employment Details
Chandeshar Kumar had traveled to Saudi Arabia in July 2025 for employment, facilitated by a recruiting agent based in Gujarat. According to his nephew, Sahil Kumar, Chandeshar was no stranger to the Gulf region, having previously worked in both Saudi Arabia and Dubai. He flew from Mumbai on July 24, 2025, and was employed on a contract basis at the Al Zamil Metal Works Factory.
The company initially issued a three-month visa, which was later extended with assurances of continued employment. However, the situation took a turn when Chandeshar informed his family on January 8 that he was suffering from a cold and cough. He relayed that the company had asked him to return to India at his own expense, promising reimbursement for the ticket after Eid.
The Disappearance and Family's Ordeal
In response, the family booked his return ticket for January 10, on an IndiGo flight from Jeddah to Ahmedabad, with onward train travel planned to Varanasi and Dhanbad. "At around 3.30 pm on January 10, my maternal uncle sent us his last message saying he was leaving for the airport. He wrote, 'I'm going to the airport, Jai Mata Di.' After that, his phone was switched off. He disappeared between his accommodation and the airport," Sahil Kumar recounted.
The family's initial assumption that he might lack internet access at the airport proved false. They tracked the flight status overnight and, after confirming its landing in Ahmedabad, recharged his mobile number. His phone remained unreachable, with WhatsApp showing only a single tick. Contact with IndiGo Airlines revealed he did not check in for the flight, confirming he never boarded the plane.
Sahil said attempts to seek clarity from the employer were futile. "The company and its staff said they had not arranged the ticket or transport and that they did not know where he went," he explained.
Official Interventions and Search Efforts
Following the disappearance, the family approached multiple authorities:
- Dhanbad MP Dhulu Mahato
- Jharia MLA Ragini Singh
- Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner, who forwarded the matter to the Jharkhand Labour Department
The case was subsequently taken up by the State Migrant Control Room and escalated to the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia. Shikha Lakra, an official at the State Migrant Control Room, stated that the Consulate General of India in Jeddah conducted inquiries, including checks at detention centres and jails, but Chandeshar Kumar was not found in any prison.
In a written response shared with state authorities, the Indian Embassy said: "The matter was immediately taken up with the concerned jail authorities by the Consulate General of India, Jeddah. As per the information received, Mr Kumar is not lodged in any jail. The matter has further been taken up with the Saudi authorities, requesting them to ascertain the whereabouts of Mr Kumar. However, no response has been received from the local authorities so far."
Lakra added that the embassy assured the family any information would be promptly conveyed. Chandeshar's family includes his elderly mother, three unmarried sisters, and an estranged wife, with whom he has a daughter. Nearly a month after he went missing, the family has received no information about his disappearance and has appealed to the government for urgent intervention.
